Audi A3 - buying advice

[dan101smith]

Hi, my friend has just sold her Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet, and has decided she now wants an A3 to replace it.

I've been volunteered to find her one, but I know very little about this model. She has a budget of around £2700 and is looking for minimal running costs.

3 questions so far:

1. Is the 1.6 any more efficient than the 1.8 in the real world?
2. Are the diesels reliable?
3. Are there any model specific faults to look out for?

Cheers guys.

[Welshbeef]

dan101smith said:

Hi, my friend has just sold her Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet, and has decided she now wants an A3 to replace it.

I've been volunteered to find her one, but I know very little about this model. She has a budget of around £2700 and is looking for minimal running costs.

3 questions so far:

1. Is the 1.6 any more efficient than the 1.8 in the real world?
2. Are the diesels reliable?
3. Are there any model specific faults to look out for?

Cheers guys.

Go for the 110bhp TDI 1.9 unit its very good faster in the real world than the petrols you mention and 55-60mpg day in day out & as this engine is pre PD then Veg oil running is a very easy thing to do.

[dan101smith]

Thanks for the advice.

Not seen many TDis within budget, would I be looking at a nail for this price?

[red tasmin]

the tdi does about twice as many miles per gallon as petrol, if you could increase the budget the tdi would eventually pay for itself. mine has done 128k and is still very economical and reliable.

[UpTheIron]

dan101smith said:

Hi, my friend has just sold her Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet, and has decided she now wants an A3 to replace it.

I've been volunteered to find her one, but I know very little about this model. She has a budget of around £2700 and is looking for minimal running costs.

3 questions so far:

1. Is the 1.6 any more efficient than the 1.8 in the real world?
2. Are the diesels reliable?
3. Are there any model specific faults to look out for?

Cheers guys.

1. MPG: My other halfs 1.6 is probably less economical then my 1.8T Sport was, and isn't much different to my S3.
2. Not owned one, but know plenty of people with that engine in Golf/Passat etc with high mileage.
3. I'm sure there are, but between my other half and I we've done around 150k in an A3 1.6, A3 1.8T and S3 without any major issues. The odd big bill along the way though.

If you are looking to reduce running costs then I would:
i) avoid turbo's (inc diesel) as it is more to go wrong - unless she does a lot of miles to recoup the costs on fuel
ii) avoid quattro's (additional service costs)

Don't be worried about high miles - our two are both over 100k without major problems.

Edited by UpTheIron on Thursday 3rd January 18:51

[dan101smith]

Thanks for the advice.

I'm thinking now that a 1.8 non-T would be the best mix, she won't do enough mileage to make back the diesel price premium.

I buy on condition/history rather than mileage, but if anyone knows of any specific faults to look out for (I'm more used to BMWs which have a long list of model-specific faults!) then that'd be a great help.